From the Principal
Our NAPLAN results were again outstanding this year
Happy Holidays
I would like to thank staff, students and parents for all of their hard work and the many contributions they have made to Northcote over the past term. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to have a rest, recuperate and recharge their batteries before launching into an exciting Term 4.
I hope the Year 12 VCE students, in particular, who may be tempted to study all holidays, take at least a few days to rest and recharge so that they can maintain their stamina through to the end of their exams.
Year 12s soon to finish
As Term 3 draws to an end it is tinged with excitement, anticipation and a little bit of sadness. It is only a few short weeks until our Year 12 VCE students finish their classes, begin their study break and then commence their final exams.
As we look to the end of their 13 years of education it is necessary to prioritise the important things to ensure that each one of them is as well prepared as they possibly can be. I refer to not only academic preparedness – things like diet, sleep and rest time and symbolic and ceremonial events are vitally important. We are looking forward to Graduation, their final assembly, celebration day, and their formal.
This group of young people have shown themselves to be impressive throughout this year, and we are sure they will do so with each milestone between now and the end of the year.
Some important dates to remember:
- Graduation is on Thursday 10 October at the Grand Hyatt.
- Unit 3 and 4 classes finish P4 Monday 21st October – full attendance is expected up until this point.
- Year 12 Final Assembly P5 Monday 21st October
- Year 12 Celebration Morning begins with the staff serving breakfast on Tuesday 22nd October
- Study break (or Swot Vac) commences immediately after the breakfast on Celebration Day
- The Senior Sub-School has provided each student studying at least one Unit 3 and 4 study with their exam advice, which outlines the times and venues for each exam.
Outstanding NAPLAN Results
Congratulations to students and staff, for the outstanding 2019 NAPLAN results.
Last week saw the release of the 2019 NAPLAN results, and I am delighted to report that Northcote High School continues the strong tradition of high academic achievement, coupled with strong growth, which is very pleasing.
At both Year 7 and Year 9 our students performed well above the State mean in each of the areas: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Numeracy and Grammar and Punctuation and demonstrated improved performance on previous years, in Reading, Writing and Numeracy, while maintaining strong results in the other two areas.
The writing results at Year 9 are particularly impressive, given the differences between those who completed the online and paper tests. Students completing the online writing test have, on average, a 35 point advantage. In 2019 our students completed the paper writing task.
Our growth reports, which provide the strongest measure of student learning, show improved growth in four of the five areas: Reading, Writing, Numeracy and Grammar and Punctuation.
These results provide one measure of success for our school and students, and they are the just one of the many, positive outcomes that come from the daily, active, engaged learning of students and staff, working collaboratively.
Year 7 and 9 parents are invited to pick up their child’s results from the front office. Student Parent Teacher Conversations at the end of the week would serve as an opportune time.
2020 Year 7s
This week just passed has been a big one for the 13 classes of 2020 Year 7s and their families.
On Wednesday, we held two sessions of the parent information night, which reassured and equipped parents with the information they need to help with a positive transition for their child. We then held the academic testing for those students on Saturday.
The information we glean from this testing helps with the formation of student classes, and provides teachers with the data necessary to target student learning at their point of need.
For both these events, Katie Archibald, Audra Keane and Louise Penson, played a key role, ably assisted by the rest of the Admin Team: Kate Challis, Joanne Jones, Jade Coco and Sarah Burns, and the sub-school and Student Services. Thank you to Leanne Petroff and Harriette Barclay for their work at the Info Night too.
Comedy Night - Major Fundraiser
On Friday, we held our annual, major fundraiser, the Comedy Night, run by Friends of Northcote High and led by Katie Archibald. Josh Ladgrove’s show, was unique, bizarre and crazy-funny.
The Performing Arts Centre was the ideal location and it was a lovely balmy evening for it. The upstairs indoor and outdoor space, used for gathering, dining, socialising and the silent auction. The theatre itself provided an outstanding, intimate venue, and even supported some audience participation (which everyone loves during a comedy performance, right?).
Our sincere thanks goes to the fabulous Jodie J Hill (parent and comedienne for hosting, auctioning various prizes and for organising Josh Ladgrove to perform), and to: Julie Anderson, Liza Grage-Perry, Pauline Boyle, Kylie Riddell, Sam Corrie, James Thyer, Jenny Collodetti, and Martin Hughes, who all led the organisation, helped out on the night in various ways, and then even showed up on Saturday morning to clean and pack up.
A big thank you to Katie Archibald and to Kate Challis, for their hard work too.
New Computer Labs
When students return, we hope they are suitably impressed with the upgrades to our two computer labs in M5 and M6. All old equipment will be sent away to Reverse Rubbish, where all parts will be recycled.
Last week of the Boho Consultation process
This is the last week of the Boho South Campus consultation process. Tanya Burdett will be at the Student Parent Teacher Conversations seeking further (and final) feedback from families.
Don’t forget, if you haven’t already done so, there is a community survey. The link to the survey can be found here:
You can read the FAQs – the link to these are here: